August 5th, 2010:  Connor Sport Court, one of Beyond Sport’s Business Support Partners has matched funding from Beyond Sport to develop Tanzania’s first all weather, multi-purpose court. Coaches across Continents, winner of Best New Project 2009, entered a competition to win the free court and convinced the judges that Kigoma, where the organisation has been working for nearly three years, would be a great recipient community for the court.

Kigoma is located at the North Eastern Shore of Lake Tanganyika in Western Tanzania, 1,200 kilometres from Dar es Salaam. The Municipal has an area of 128sq. kilometers and approximately 225,000 inhabitants. Kigoma struggles with early school drop out, with especially high drop out rates for young girls. Kigomaalso struggles with AIDS and HIV, poverty, and lack of employment opportunities.

There is currently no safe and sufficient place for Coaches across Continents to do their work. The only “formal” playing surface in the area is filled with deep holes, strewn with rocks, broken glass and trash, and the ground is uneven and made up of deep sand in parts. The field’s surrounding security wall has been partially demolished allowing animals to frequently roam across the field.

A court from the world’s largest court builder will change all this…watch this space to see the project take shape.

“We would like to thank Beyond Sport and Connor Sport Court for this Award.  In the past two years our coaches have worked with more than 150 local teachers and coaches and more than 15,000 children to start the sport for social development program.  The Municipal in Kigoma and the Sports Officers, Nico and Masari also deserve a great deal of credit for their pioneering work in Tanzania.”  Christian Aviza, Board of Directors, Coaches across Continents.

The court has recently departed the Connor Sport Court factory and will arrive via sea to Dar Es Salaam in early September.

August 4th, 2010:  Beyond Training: from ‘smart’ objectives to WISER outcomes. A necessary paradigm shift to achieve success in developing countries.

In a known and predictable world rational solutions can be planned, for training as for anything else. A training programme based on the concept of the transferability of skills can be organised and implemented so that coaches acquire the skills they are thought to need in order to achieve pre-determined, often narrow, ‘smart’ objectives.  (Specific, Measureable, Achievable, Realistic and Timely). However, such a training approach takes little account of idiosyncratic local needs, perspectives and opportunities and can’t cope with a world of uncertainty or a high degree of complexity. It is ‘a one size fits all’ approach, which, paradoxically, may be a misfit everywhere. 

 Coaches across Continents works in complex, challenging and constantly changing environments which demand a significant degree of knowledge, analysis, judgment and flexibility in order to meet the context specific requirements of every unique situation. Accordingly Coaches across Continents goes beyond training and ‘educates’ coaches to make appropriate choices in their use of the Coaches across Continent’s curriculum in their work in significantly varying situations. Using a cascade model of development in order to optimize programme sustainability, these coaches then educate locally based coaches to similarly utilise this unique and effective curriculum. 

 Wisdom is the power of judging rightly. Without wisdom success is impossible in situations which are complex and ever changing.  Therefore the evaluation model of Coaches across Continents has of necessity evolved beyond the simplistic and potentially ineffective concept of ‘smart’ objectives to evaluation based on WISER outcomes.

Coaches, both international and local, are required to evaluate their programmes based on the following WISER criteria:

 W

Was the programme ‘workable’? How did it take account of and respond to the specific reality and needs of the unique context?

a)      What was unique about the context?

b)      What particular needs were identified?

c)      What were chosen as local priorities and why?

d)     How were these priorities met?

I

Was the curriculum utilized ‘intelligently’, with thought being given to the relevance of a wide range of ideas and factors?

a)      What alternative ideas and approaches were considered?

b)      How were activities selected appropriately to match identified local needs? 

c)      How was the curriculum responsive to ongoing learning and emerging issues?

S

Was the programme and curriculum ‘situated’ within the network of local relationships within the community?

a)      How did the curriculum align with local partners and build on existing programmes?

b)      How did the programme build relationships and gain credibility within the community?

c)      How did the programme add value to the community?

E

Were the coaches willing to ‘experiment’ appropriately, to try out new ways and formulate new aims, in response to newly clarified or identified local needs.

a)      What local needs were newly identified or clarified?

b)      What new or variant activities, games or approaches were introduced to meet these needs?

c)      What new aims emerged as a result of these experiments?

R

What ‘results’ were achieved, both quantitative and qualitative?

a)      What criteria was used to measure or judge success?

b)      How many people attended the programme? Did the attendance increase or drop off throughout the programme?

c)      What was the evidence of community interest in the programme?

d)     What was the evidence of learning by participants and within the community as a result of the programme?

e)      What was the evidence of sustainability of the programme?

By seeing the limitation of the ‘smart’ objectives’ way of understanding things, Coaches across Continents is moving beyond simplistic training methods and superficial numerical evaluation. In grasping the nettle of ‘WISER’ outcomes, Coaches across Continents is at the forefront of evaluation that honours complexity, speaks to the uniqueness of local contexts, builds on emerging strengths, enhances sustainability and empowers coaches to move from chance to informed choices in their work within communities.

“We have been working on a ‘monitoring and evaluation’ method for over two years that works best with sport for social development and specifically with the flexible nature of our Hat-Trick Initiatives.  We’d like to thank all our coaches in the field, our partner programs, iFc 1966 and the members of our Boards who have worked on this project. The WISER model continues our work as a leader in sport for social development ”  Nick Gates, Global Strategist

July 27th, 2010:  The English Soccer season is upon us and we are delighted to launch our first ever fantasy football league.  To join our league and have fun throughout the soccer season, simply click http://www.firstgiving.com/fantasysoccer and follow the instructions.

Coaches across Continents was proud to have had former England coach Sir Bobby Robson as a keen supporter of our programs and we are delighted that the winner of our fantasy league will receive a Sir Bobby Robson Memorial soccer shirt and scarf.

Coaches across Continents runs programs in 6 African countries in 2010 and was the winner of Beyond Sport Global Award for Best New Project in 2009.

Any donations made to join the fantasy soccer league will be used by Coaches across Continents for our programs in Africa and by the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation to fight cancer.

July 20th, 2010: 

Ciaran joined our Business Advisory Board on July 1st, 2010 and brings with him a wealth of experience both in soccer coaching and in the world of soccer business.

Ciaran began his career as a summer coach with PLAY SOCCER New England in 1996 and joined full time in 1998.  By 1999 he was the National Director for Coaching.

In 2001, Ciaran chose to build his own successful business when he started www.xlsoccertours.com, an organization that provides top level soccer tours to the UK, Spain, Sweden, Itally, Holland and Brasil.  In 2008, XL Soccer Tours became an official partner to Coaches across Continents and assisted with the first Hat-Trick Initiative in Kigoma, Tanzania.

“I’m excited to be part of this unique challenge to use soccer for social development.  Coaches across Continents is providing a program that is changing lives in communities around the world and I’m looking forward to working with the Boards to build a sustainable foundation for future business development.”

Ciaran will also be putting on his coaching gear on the fields in Africa in 2011.

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The World Cup has been absolutely great here in South Africa. The entire nation has caught World Cup Fever with flags, songs, and advertisements blanketing the country. You cannot turn on the TV without getting live games, analysis, replays of games, talk shows, news report and weather updates from the stadiums. And at the start of every televised match is a quick 5-second soundbite with the words, “Ke Nako!” – which means “It Is Time.”  And to get the full feel of the World Cup you have to listen to the World Cup anthem which you hear daily throughout the country.  It is a song that everyone knows by heart and each time it comes on leads to smiles, dancing, and happiness that is associated with World Cup Fever.

Great seats at the USA/Algeria match and right in line with Donovan's game-winning goal!

For the past month I have been playing the part of the tourist, seeing six games in five different venues including all three of the USA group stage matches.  It was a great run for Team USA highlighted by Landon Donovan’s late heroics in the game vs. Algeria but unfortunately it all came to an end against Ghana in extra time.  At the end of the day it was a solid performance by the Yanks but it would have been great to get just a tiny bit further.  Sometimes you need just a little luck in this tournament and with a few calls going against us it does not seem that this was our tournament.  I was also fortunate enough to be able to attend the semifinal match in Durban when Spain defeated Germany, 1-0.   This sets up a great final between two very good footballing sides, Spain and the Netherlands.  Both play attractive soccer and neither have won a World Cup which should make for a passionate and entertaining match on Sunday, July 11th.  My money is on the Netherlands prevailing as champions.

Representing South Africa for the Lamontville Good News Centre

The Lamontville Good News Academy works with slightly younger kids to get them involved with WKU at an earlier age.  Lamontville is a township just outside of Durban.  One very noticeable thing in South Africa is the disparity of wealth.  Lamontville is one of the poorer neighborhoods and the opportunity for the kids to come to a safe place like the Lamontville Good News Centre is priceless.  While there they engage in games (soccer among them) as well as begin to learn life lessons about conflict resolution, health  & wellness education, and equality of the sexes.  In addition during the school holidays it is a great place to come and receive lunch which they would normally do at school (and some families cannot afford it otherwise).

WhizzKids United's Edendale Health Academy

The Edendale Health Academy just opened last month and is a new approach for WKU.  The Health Academy is for pre-teens and teenagers and is a center that allows them to play sports, learn about their HIV status (get tested) as well as provide for education regarding HIV/AIDS and counseling regarding HIV/AIDS.  WKU employs Life Skills Trainers at the Edendale Health Academy who combine various soccer games with life lessons.  These activities are roughly 50% soccer and 50% life skills based and by using soccer as the medium the kids are fully engaged.  So far I have been very impressed with WKU’s delivery method, their message, its effectiveness, and the organization as a whole.    As you can see there are some great things going on in South Africa besides the World Cup. 

For those of you who would like to help great programs such as these please contribute by CLICKING HERE.  Thank you!

February 8th, 2010

Coaches across Continents are pleased to announce our 4th partner program in Kenya with Kisumu Youth Football Association.  Their program is built around two pillars. Firstly they believe that by creating an enabling environment for competition, young people will be encouraged to form a football team for which children and youth are recruited with whom they train every day in preparation for the weekly competition matches. Within this context an enabling environment means, good fields, reliable registration systems, skilled referees and efficient management.  Secondly, they believe that the teams are avenues for and their leaders are agents of youth development. By building their capacity, KYFA pursues to improve the welfare of children and youth. We hope that KYFA teams will turn into their positive peer groups recognized throughout the community.

“We would hope the Coaches Across Continents would be able to help build the capacity of our coaches, in the sense that the coaches would be able to coach the players in more than soccer. We want the coaches to be good role models for their players and to help develop the social skills of the children, in order to help develop the community”.  Coach Kelsey from KYFA.

“Our Coaches will be in Kenya from March 31st until May 30th and we are delighted to have been approached by so many organizations who use football for social development to form mutually beneficial partnerships.  Sharing ideas and coaching styles will help communities around the world build their programs and help thousands of teachers and children.  KYFA have a fantastic program and we are looking forward to sharing and learning with them”  Steve Bowsher, Board of Directors Coaches across Continents.

Former Portsmouth boss Paul Hart has been named as the new manager of Queens Park Rangers following the departure of Jim Magilton.

The 56-year-old left Portsmouth last month and will be in charge until the end of the season.

Former Luton boss Mick Harford, who had a spell in caretaker charge of Rangers in 2007, will be Hart’s assistant.

Magilton and his assistant John Gorman left the Loftus Road club by mutual consent on Wednesday.

QPR have suspended manager Jim Magilton with immediate effect, pending an internal investigation.

This relates to an incident on Monday at Vicarage Road, where QPR lost 3-1 to Watford where following the the match, Magilton admitted he had a “difference of opinion” with midfielder Akos Buzsaky but he has categorically denied any wrong-doing.

QPR have won just one game in seven and the loss to Watford followed a 5-1 home defeat by Middlesbrough on Saturday.

Magilton issued a statement through the League Managers’ Association on Wednesday afternoon, saying he would co-operate with any club investigation and hoped to be back in charge soon.

“While passions can run high in football, especially after a poor performance, I categorically deny any allegation of wrongdoing following Monday’s fixture,” he said.

“I understand that the club has initiated an internal investigation, with which I will co-operate fully.

“This is an unfortunate situation and I look forward to resuming my responsibilities shortly.”

Following a statement about Magilton on Wednesday, the club issued a second statement later on their official website , denying reports that Buzsaky had handed in a transfer request.

“It is not true at all,” the Hungarian international is quoted as saying.

“I am entirely focused on our next fixture against West Bromwich Albion on Monday night.

It has been reported that David Sullivan and David Gold have tabled an offer to buy into West Ham.

Both are expected to take a substantial shareholding for a nominal fee, promising to invest in the team in January and offer expertise plus the option of buying the club outright at a later date.

West Ham are owned by CB Holding, a company made up of creditors of Hansa, which was owned by former chairman Bjorgolfur Gudmundsson.

CB Holding have appointed Rothschild and Standard Bank to try to find a new owner for the club.

“Several parties” have made approaches and are involved in “an ongoing dialogue” about the possibility of buying the Hammers, according to a senior board member, but negotiations are still at a fairly early stage.

Gold and Sullivan sold Birmingham to Hong Kong billionaire Carson Yeung in October, ending their 16-year tenure at the club.

They bought the Blues for £1 and sold the club for £82m. The duo have a strong affiliation with West Ham and once owned a 30% stake in the Upton Park club.